The Denominational Celebration
will be held
in Dallas, Texas, U.S.
on July 23-26, 2026.
Please mark your calendars. More information will be made available in mid-2025.
Author: Elizabeth Mullins
We’re Hiring
GCI is hiring!
Two full-time positions are now open at the Grace Communion International (GCI) Home Office in Charlotte, NC, U.S.
The Media Coordinator position is currently available, and applications are being accepted. See the job description here.
The Assistant Operations Coordinator position is currently available, and applications are being accepted. See the job description here.
If you would like further details on either position or would like a GCI job application, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@gci.org or 980-495-3960.
Please share this announcement with qualified candidates who may be gifted for either position at the Home Office.
From Equipper—Celebrating in Hope
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Nuts and bolts of the Hope Avenue
By Linda Rex, Elder
Our journey in GCI towards Healthy Church includes a deeper understanding of our hope in Christ. Our Hope Avenue team ensures that our Sunday services provide a warm welcome, fellowship, worship, and inspired preaching, which refresh us with the hope of Jesus.
Markers of a healthy Hope Avenue
The Hope Avenue team prepares all aspects of the Sunday service, from parking lot to sanctuary to fellowship hall. The Hope Avenue team works together to welcome, include, and integrate into the life of the church, all those who attend. The fellowship and Sunday service enable each person to meet with, in a personal and united way, our triune God. Renewed with the hope of Jesus, those who attend are sent out with this good news. In this way, the Hope Avenue team shares with Jesus in His divine ministry by the Spirit.
Signs of unhealth
Members of a church with an unhealthy Hope Avenue might not notice new guests, or swarm new people at the door and scare them away. Worse, the pastor may bring attention to guests when they prefer not to be noticed. There is limited or no signage in an unhealthy Hope Avenue, and no one offers to help guests find the restroom, children’s room, snacks, or the sanctuary. Guests are often not told they are welcome to join in the pre-service fellowship or study group. Youth and teens are often ignored. Seniors are not always given the support they need as they move from the parking lot to the sanctuary and back.
An unhealthy Hope Avenue worship service is more focused on the content of the service, the speaker, or singers than on relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The service is disjointed and messy because little planning has been done. The music is often more focused on our human experience of God than on worshipping God. An unhealthy Hope Avenue sermon is often teaching a Bible Study rather than preaching about Jesus, who He is and who we are in Him. In an unhealthy Hope Avenue service, communion often focuses more on the items on the table than on the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
Read MoreSingapore | Malaysia 50th Anniversary
For four days in October, GCI Malaysia/Singapore gathered at the Grand Kampar Hotel in Perak, Malaysia. The gathering was a landmark as the members celebrated 50 years of the church in Malaysia and Singapore. The church began with a few members who came together in the early ’70s. Over the years, the church has experienced various challenges but has remained steadfast in the faith.
Approximately 55 members from Malaysia and Singapore attended. Guests included 12 members from the church in Thailand, one member from the United States, and Asia Superintendent Dan Zachariah and his wife, Mary, from India. It was a time of great worship and fellowship.
Four church services were conducted during that time and messages were given by Pastor Dan Zachariah, Pastor Wong Mein Kong, and me. The theme for this year was “The faithfulness of God.” It was a most appropriate theme reflecting the course of the church as a witness of the gospel of Jesus Christ in primarily Islamic and Buddhist countries. One of the highlights of the gathering was the baptism of Mrs. Ho, which was carried out at the hotel’s swimming pool.
Various exciting activities catering to members of all ages were conducted. The young adults had a great time participating in caving and whitewater rafting at Gua Tempurung. The rest of the members also participated in a less physically challenging tour of the caves and a trip to Kellie’s Castle. Others chose a food tour trying various cuisine around Kampar town.
It was a remarkable time, truly reflecting the family that we are in Christ Jesus. As David expressed in Psalm 133:1 “How good and pleasant it is when brethren live together in unity.”
By Devaraj Ramoo, Pastor
Klang, Selangor, Malaysia
Prayer Guide—December 2024
“The first step toward God is a step away from the lies of the world.”— A.W. Tozer
Step into December with prayer and truth. Download our Prayer Guide here and join us in drawing closer to God.
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GCI Board Update
Grace Communion International is a family of congregations and members from around the globe. As a body of believers, we live and serve together in Jesus’ ministry as a part of His spiritual body. We do so in the love, grace, and freedom we have as our Father’s beloved children. But we also must function within the legal guidelines required by governmental agencies. Accordingly, GCI is organized and established according to a set of bylaws and is “board governed.” That is, the GCI’s theological foundation, overall mission, financial procedures, and administrative policies are overseen by a board of directors.
The GCI Board of Directors is a diverse group of elders who serve four-year terms. Each of the directors brings an impressive range of gifts and experiences to serve GCI on a voluntary basis.
On behalf of the GCI Board, I want to thank Celestine “Cella” Olive and Jen Gregory for four years of outstanding service as they conclude their terms. (For Cella, it was her second term of service.) They have both served faithfully and graciously as co-stewards of the mission and resources Jesus has given GCI. We greatly appreciate their contributions to the board governance process and pray they continue to experience every blessing Jesus has for them as they continue to serve Him in other capacities.
This gives me the opportunity to welcome two new directors to the board: Rebecca Johnson and Philip Doele. As long-time GCI members and elders, they have also served as pastors and bring a wealth of wisdom and experience to contribute to the board dynamics. Read their full bios here.
Please pray the GCI Board of Directors have the wisdom and insight needed to discern the guidance of the Spirit as we seek to faithfully steward GCI resources and journey forward with Jesus.
Randy Bloom, GCI Board Chair
Healthy Church—On Mission
Norfolk, Virginia, US
In the fall of 2023, GC Norfolk hosted a 2-day drum camp for community children. We invited a local organization, Shark City Drum and Dance Corps, to join us and teach the children how to play drums. It was a fun weekend getting to know our neighbors and sharing a meal together. On Sunday, we had a worship service with all who attended.
Our congregation has been supporting Shark City for a few years now, and the drum camp was merely one part of an ongoing partnership. I serve as the chaplain and president of the board for Shark City. Erica, my wife, is the administrative assistant, and she’s a crucial member of the team. Shark City helps young people learn music and dance, to avoid some of the crime and trouble that are readily available on our local streets. GC Norfolk will continue to foster this partnership because Shark City is an important part of our community who, like our congregation, cares about the welfare of our city’s young people.
By Calvin Simon, Pastor
Norfolk, VA, US
Hmawbi, Yangon, Myanmar
Our congregation holds a weekly Kid Sunday School service. Then at least once every three months, we host a children’s camp. The October camp was attended by 25-30 children. We divided the group into children and youth. It was organized by our members and led by our two Sunday school teachers.
The teachers taught the gospel message, and Christian living. The children memorized Bible verses and learned action songs. The camp leaders emphasized the importance of the children carrying the lessons of camp into their daily lives, encouraging the children to pray and trust in Jesus during both good times and bad.
We provided breakfast and lunch. And we gave the children presents such as cooking oil, toothbrushes, rice, salt, and clothes.
By Chan Thleng, Pastor
Hmawbi, Myanmar
Cincinnati, Ohio, US
At the end of September, GC Cincinnati West hosted a Fall Festival for the surrounding community and neighbors. The day before our festival, Cincinnati was hit with the remaining winds of Hurricane Helena. The severe weather knocked out electricity for random areas in the city. Our outside set-up was destroyed, and everything was soaked. We moved the festival indoors and proceeded. To our surprise, many from the neighborhood came and took refuge in our building where they could enjoy a day with their family, eat a warm meal, and experience the fellowship of the church. Many stayed for hours as conversations were abundant. On a cold, wet day, our neighbors experienced the warmth of Jesus shining brightly though His church.
In October, GC Cincinnati East gathered at the community park and invited the neighbors to come and have lunch with us. We provided a meal and various activities. We showed up with enthusiasm and love for our neighbors. The neighbors who joined us were met with good food, good music, and loving fellowship. We discovered that we as a church needed more fun time together and that we can easily be visible to our neighborhood. We look forward to joining our neighbors at the park more often.
By Julie Frantz, Pastor
Cincinnati, OH, US
Devotional—Hope is the Final Word
Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” Luke 21:5-6
The season of Advent centers on hope and points to God’s enduring faithfulness — promises of old find their fulfillment in Christ. In Luke 21, Jesus speaks of the destruction of the temple and the hope of redemption. These words, often mistaken as referring to the Second Coming, likely predict Jerusalem’s devastation in A.D. 70. The temple was a symbol pointing to Jesus. When the reality the symbol was pointing to appears, the symbol falls away.
The temple, once a cornerstone of Jewish faith, was a symbol of permanence and divine connection. Yet, its destruction marked the transition to worship “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). Jesus fulfills what the temple once represented: the meeting place of heaven and earth. “Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near” (verse 31).
Worship is no longer confined to a place or people. The kingdom has arrived! Jesus’ kingship transcends earthly symbols, initiating a new era for God’s people.
We’re reminded that no worldly institution, however powerful or evil it seems, is permanent. But God’s kingdom is eternal. This reality fills us with hope.
Advent hope challenges us to remain watchful and faithful, trusting God amidst change and placing our ultimate hope in His eternal kingdom.
Prayer:
Jesus, we are so grateful that in You we find the union of heaven and earth. Your incarnation and the advent of Your kingdom saved our lives! Father, Son, and Spirit, we love you. Amen.
This devotional was adapted from an RCL sermon. Read the full sermon here.
Anticipation
Death of Helen Jackson
Helen Jackson, born December 25, 1936, died on October 30, 2024. She is the wife of the late Harold Jackson.
Her daughter, Sabrina Mayo, shared the following with Update:
For the past five years, mom has stayed very active. She spent time with her grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, attending soccer games, gymnastic meets, cheerleader competition, t-ball baseball games, and family trips. She liked concerts, and musical performances, and was a member of the Deaton Creek Village Singers. She attended adult dance classes, line dancing, art club, tai chi, water aerobics, Pilates, and women’s Bible study club. She enjoyed these past years of life; however, mom was tired and ready to go. She passed on in a peaceful sleep. She will be missed, but I am happy that God answered her prayers.
December 7, 2024 — 11 a.m.
Celebration of Life for Helen E. Jackson
Shepherd’s Community Church
10 W 150th Street
Harvey, IL 60426
Livestreaming will be available.
December 21, 2024
Memorial in Mountain View Chapel — 11:00 a.m.
Internment, Graveside Service — 12:30 p.m.
Mountain View Cemetery
2400 North Fair Oaks Avenue
Altadena, CA 91001
Condolences may be sent to:
Sabrina Mayo
5955 Chimney Rock Dr.
Hoschton, GA 30548
